tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16533007235874919402017-07-27T23:21:40.310-07:00THE INSANE REALITY OF MY LIFE"Just as demented as the voices in your head"Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-28007015897635887102013-11-28T08:30:00.001-08:002013-11-28T08:35:12.874-08:00Oh so thankful It's thanksgiving, a time to stop and be thankful and spend the whole month sharing what we are thankful for, before we indulge in gluttony and finally arrive in December so true joy can come and so can Santa. Everyone has spent the whole month on facebook sharing what they are thankful for. I love it and in order to join the crowds and attempt at being cool, I am going to do it here and list 30 things I am truly thankful for. Of course without breaking the pattern, in Ally's fashion, its late and a little bit different because if you don't know already that I am thankful for God, husband, kids, family, health, etc etc etc, then you need another drink ;)<br /><br /><br />1. I am thankful for orgasms. Sometimes one is just about the only thing that can fix a crappy day, not to mention a headache.<br /><br />2. I am thankful for spanx. No one except my truly forgiving/blind husband needs to see all the side effects of all the olives I eat ;)<br /><br />3. I am thankful for liquor. Wine, malibu, whiskey, gasoline, whatever I need at the end of the day to feel like a sane human being.<br /><br />4. I am thankful for walls and time out. Because sometimes this mommy just needs a break before she ends up on the news.<br /><br />5. I am thankful for coffee. I am incapable of being a pleasant human being without it.<br /><br />6. I am thankful for Santa who doesn't give presents based on merit, because only he knows I haven't deserved one since about 1983.<br /><br />7. I am thankful for the hide option on facebook. No I don't care to see every single day every single day the drama you post, but when I need a laugh, its easy to unhide it.<br /><br />8. I am thankful for chocolate, chips, cookies, cakes, and all things yummy. Sometimes the only way I can deal with your stupid ass is by knowing there will be a little pot of yumminess to make it up for it. Also works for birthday party and dealing with bratty kids.<br /><br />9. I am thankful for my friends. They are truly good people with hearts of gold who are ready at a moments notice to bury a body in case I need it. Also they are so insane sometimes they make me feel sane.<br /><br />10. I am thankful for my ability to quickly get shit done. How else would I be lazy until 3:40 and then quickly clean the house and make dinner so my husband can walk in the door at 4pm and think I busted my ass all day???<br /><br />11. I am thankful for my meds. I am not currently sitting in jail because of them!<br /><br />12. I am thankful for underwire because the only thing perky on my body is my nipples on a cold day.<br /><br />13. I am thankful for quick paint touch up. No honestly he doesn't really need to know how many times I have hit the curb,other cars, shopping carts, ...............<br /><br />14. I am thankful for take out. Yeah I am a good cook, but honey sometimes I just don't feel like putting in the effort but want the praise!<br /><br />15. I am thankful for tampons. No wonder teens are all depressed, I would be too if I still had to wear what felt like a diaper once a month.<br /><br />16. I am thankful for awesome cleaning products that makes me pass off as susie homemaker when actually I am lazy Peggy Bundy.<br /><br />17. I am thankful for hidden savings account. He loves and adores me only because of my ability to hide how much I truly spend at Target.<br /><br />18. I am thankful for Tums. Self control is a thing of the past.<br /><br />19. I am thankful for all the crazy mothers out there. I pinched my kid in public?? Oh well she made hers sit outside tied to a post. You are a great mother. The bar has been lowered.<br /><br />20. I am thankful for lollipops and bribery. Without them everyone in town would know how little control I have over these little dictators.<br /><br />21. I am thankful for good family members. Every family got one and its the only way we can put up with the crappy ones.<br /><br />22. I am thankful for convenience. Sometimes going out in pjs is a necessity and no one needs to know it because of drive thru.<br /><br />23. I am thankful for all the shitty people in the world. They serve as examples for how awesome I am, and each and every day I get to say to myself "I am fucking awesome because I am not like so and so"<br /><br />24. I am thankful for spell check. It helps me to sound somewhat literate and not be one of those that people make fun of because they misspell definitely.<br /><br />25. I am thankful for all the mommy wars on the internet. They help keep me grounded and really worry about the important shit.<br /><br />26. I am thankful for the bff code. Yeah I talk shit, you do it, I do it, we all do it, but because of the bff code, its always on the down low.<br /><br />27. I am thankful for the internet. It has answered every peculiar question without judgement.<br /><br />28. I am also thankful for the ability to clear a browsing history. I don't want to shock anyone with my peculiar questions or curiosity like dolphin rape, vaginoplasty, how flamingos have sex, so on and so forth.<br /><br />29. I am thankful for public school. Yeah as much as this mommy loves them, she is not well or medicated enough to keep them happy, healthy and entertained 365 days of the year.<br /><br />30. and last but not least I am thankful for you. Either you are making me feel normal or insane and only I know it which way the pendulum is swinging ;)<br /><br /><br /><br />Love A.Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-75993901075077729012013-09-04T06:46:00.001-07:002013-09-04T06:46:12.686-07:00Dusting off the webs....OMG I can't believe it has been months since I blogged. It's honestly not because I don't enjoy it or because I have nothing to talk about. The reason I haven't blogged in forever is because I had no direction for this blog.<br /><br />Let me catch you up first and than we will talk about that.<br /><br />Husband came home and we are now civilian again with no more deployments in our horizon. I could have totally talked about that, but who wants to hear about the trials and tribulations of reintegration?? Boring!!!<br /><br />Then my son graduated kinder and we purchased our first home. I could have talked a lot about how to choose your perfect home and I might later on, but right now all I want to do is continue to enjoy this huge accomplishment and I can't find the words to do it justice...so....<br /><br />I survived a whole summer with 2 kids. I barely remember it..lol<br /><br />We started on various home improvements that I absolutely love/loathe. I will talk about some of it later on but its nothing like younghouselove so lower your expectations..<br /><br />and I sent off both of my kids to school. My daughter started prek, my son started 1st grade and I started my last year of school. Come next june I will have a Bachelors. OMG!!!<br /><br />So now that you are all caught up in our lives, I can explain why I haven't written in so long.<br /><br />Right now its a mesh of happenings in our lives. I wanted to write an organizational blog because organizing is something I love. I am not great at it, but it has really improved my life, but then I see so many in the blogsphere doing it so much better than I could. I still might add a tab talking about just with tips on how to get organized because honestly it has really made my life better.<br /><br />Then I could write about home improvements but I am not that great. Hello I cried when I was painting my daughters room because no one ever told me the first coat of paint will look absolutely horrible, until you give a second coat and it took my husband and myself 11 hours to install hardwood flooring in one room. Totally not experts at all. *** we did improve and the second room we did only took 5.<br /><br />I could write a blog about cooking on a ramen budget without eating ramen all the time, but I am not on a ramen budget anymore, so I didn't think that would be fair.<br /><br />So here we are, I took months and months off this blog and didn't accomplish anything. Didn't find any sense of direction and it will continue to be a directionless blog.<br /><br /><br />I am glad you are still around, I promise I will try to keep it interesting, because sometimes just like in blogs, there are no directions in life and you have to make it up as you go...**CORNY***<br /><br /><br />Love A<br /><br /><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-12162464351925026242013-02-27T18:52:00.003-08:002013-02-27T18:52:36.738-08:00The secret to being an amazing mom...Do you want to know the secret to being an amazing mother it is?? Knowing your limitations. Sounds simple doesn't it?? Yet it is that simple.<br /><br /><br />Let me share a back story and explain. Back in June 2001 I was a newly engaged woman ready to walk down the aisle a couple of months later, know it all 20 year old, when the case of Andrea Yates made headlines. For those who don't know Andrea Yates was a Texas woman accused of drowning her 5 children in the bathtub of her house.<br />This happened exactly one week before my 21 st birthday and when I heard the news I was appalled. What a monster. How could she possibly do that to her children? She definitely deserves the death penalty.<br /><br />Oh I was a judgmental little shit, just like many woman are before they have kids. They are amazing know- it -alls full of theories and ideas. But don't worry, all it takes is one colicky baby and a deployed husband to wake their asses up and bring them down to reality for them to realize "OH shit I think I am fucking this up and I don't know as much as I thought I did".<br /><br />Yep it happened to me and will happen to every other one out there. Its just one of those dirty little secrets no one talks about it. I don't care who you are, what kind of patience you have or how many books you have read: You are up for the umpteen time in a night with a crying child running on no sleep and lots of tears, and your mind will wander to dark places.<br />&nbsp;Whatever happened to Andrea Yates could happen to any one of us at any time.<br /><br />&nbsp;You know why it doesn't happen more often?? Because we all learn our limitations early on. We all can think, process and realize we are close to an abysm, this is not the route we want to go, so we back away from it, ask for help, cry to our spouse, our mommies, our friends. We sit in a corner with a pint of ben and jerks flipping through "DR Know it all" latest bestseller trying desperately to find answers or comfort. Knowing our limitations is the only way to keep us sane and keep our children alive.&nbsp; <br /><br />Everyone has heard of the term "Keeping up with the Jones", well in the mommy world there should be a term called "Keeping up with Susie fucking homemaker". With the world of Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and etc, its very easy to get sucked into this idea that you are a shitty mom if you don't:<br /><br />*Wake up with an amazing disposition every day instead of grumbling and wondering why the fuck didn't you go to bed at 8pm like they do??<br /><br />*cook organic breakfast on BPA free containers instead of the reality of handing them a sugar laced pop tart<br /><br />*Send in origami shaped healthy lunches instead of the easy luncheables they love<br /><br />* tell your child you love them 10 times before walking out the door instead of the normal "Move your ass or you are going to be late and I am not driving your ass to school " popular phrase<br /><br />*send them to the best rated school in the country instead of just a decent school that is not next to the local strip club<br /><br />*clean your house from top to bottom during the day instead of surfing the web and reading Perez Hilton.<br /><br />* Greet them at the door with love and affection instead of getting on them about ripping yet another pair of shoes and so on and so on and so on.<br /><br />&nbsp;I seriously don't know why aren't we all rocking in a corner crying and just putting up our children for adoption because no one can possibly meet these fucking standards set so high by some mommies drunk on wine and prozac.<br /><br />&nbsp;You know why we are not doing that?? Because we have learned our limitations. Its okay if he eats a pop tart for breakfast today but I am going to make him a veggie laced casserole for dinner. I don't send origami shaped lunch but I don't beat his ass with a wooden spoon and twist his arm until it breaks, so he will be okay and not traumatized because there were no angry bird shaped sandwich on his lunchbox. We realize that even though we are not the best mother in the world, we are always trying and striving to do better day in day out, tuck here, fix there, adjust here. By constantly worrying about the way things are going, already proves we are pretty awesome.<br /><br />&nbsp;So why is it that in my generation some moms are not learning about their limitations and deciding they can homeschool ??<br /><br />&nbsp;"Oh hell no she didn't go there"<br /><br />&nbsp;Yeah I was worried about talking about this subject, but it needs to be talked about. So I am zipping up my flame suit now.<br /><br />&nbsp;"Yep she did"<br /><br />&nbsp;While I do think almost every mother out there is trying the best for her child and has their best interest in mind, I think some of them are running on misguide. Not everyone was born with the patience to have 7 kids, some are and are amazing at it, but most aren't. That is the same thing with teaching. Not everyone was born to be a teacher. Some are and are really doing a wonderful thing for their child at home, but most aren't.<br /><br />&nbsp;Why do teachers need a bachelors degree an some on job training before they can even be left alone in a classroom?? Its for the reason to see if they can cut it.<br /><br />&nbsp;So why don't you know your limitation?? That with just an associates degree and making grammar error filled posts on Facebook and spending thousands of hours on Pinterest, you are not cut out to teach??<br /><br />&nbsp;Its okay, it doesn't make you a bad mom. Honestly, it really doesn't. I think I am a pretty good mom but only because I know my limits.<br /><br />&nbsp;I know two children are my limits, if God gave me 6 kids, I am not sure all 6 would still be alive and healthy today. I learned early on that no child would die by being left to cry in their room for 5 minutes, but if mommy didn't decompress and soon, terror could ensue for sure. I definitely know I don't have what it takes to homeschool just like I don't have what it takes to live in Alaska. If I were to attempt either, I am sure I would somehow find a way to do it, but it would be with a lot of pain, frustration and it definitely wouldn't be the best for anyone.<br /><br />&nbsp;So why can't you just accept your limits and really do what is best for your child which is to put them in a dang school and supplement with tutors or whatever it is that you have to?? Why this need to homeschool for absolutely no reason at all just to say that you do it too?<br /><br />&nbsp;Find what you are good at, where you can rock at being an amazing mom and run with that. Don't try to keep up with Suzie fucking homemakers. Your child deserves better than that.<br /><br />&nbsp;Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-85921966101209039002013-02-27T14:57:00.005-08:002013-02-27T14:57:39.460-08:00Time to eat...Lately I been cooking/baking up a storm, what's new?? I know I know. Anyways, most of the stuff has come from Pinterest and I been on a lucky streak because everything has been delicious.<br /><br />So here is the rundown:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/bd/2c/c6/bd2cc647890f5c48256c489b813bb6ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/bd/2c/c6/bd2cc647890f5c48256c489b813bb6ea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999325582030/" target="_blank">BLUEBERRY MUFFINS</a><br /><br />These came out amazing. They are made with oatmeal and very healthy. I subbed the oil for applesauce and followed the recipe. Kids approved.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/fb/91/92/fb919280a73e4d601252b8a2ad42217a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/fb/91/92/fb919280a73e4d601252b8a2ad42217a.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999325944950/" target="_blank">BANANA OATMEAL COOKIES</a><br /><br />Cookies for breakfast?? Oh yeah I am the best mom in the world. They also freeze well so super easy to throw it into a lunchbox to make a special kinder happy.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/eb/b8/3f/ebb83f917dbbf91a9467e67a0b208f95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/eb/b8/3f/ebb83f917dbbf91a9467e67a0b208f95.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999325989596/" target="_blank">HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS</a><br /><br />These are the bomb. I eat them for breakfast everyday and can almost believe I am eating a peanut butter fudge. It makes me feel kind of naughty until I remember how healthy and yummy they are. I did half the recipe just to make it for the first time and even then I thought it was too sweet. A bit less honey next time and they will be perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/c7/fd/63/c7fd63e14843ba42faef75d2a4831eca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/c7/fd/63/c7fd63e14843ba42faef75d2a4831eca.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999325938195/" target="_blank">ZUCCHINI AND CARROTS MUFFIN</a><br /><br />These were also a hit. I needed to make a dinner in which would be healthy and I could make it before hand for the nights my son has Karate and we don't get home until 6pm starving. These fit the bill. It took me longer to convert the recipe than making them and they came out very very tasty. Kids couldn't even tell they were eating something healthier for them. Also super easy to freeze. I popped them into the microwave on monday morning and my son had them for lunch at school per his request. Another keeper.<br /><br /><br />That is it for now. I have a bunch more but I don't want to overload you with yumminess.<br /><br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-10174698986947705952013-02-27T14:37:00.000-08:002013-02-27T14:37:21.810-08:00Happy birthday love bug February dd turned 4. I did not get emotional I promise. Not once, not even a little bit. I am not still emotional at all that my baby is growing up. *sniff sniff*.<br /><br />Anyways she was due for a big birthday (I only throw big birthdays every couple of years) and since Crafty Mc Crafty aka my mom was here, there was a huge kitty explosion and a very happy toddler (is 4 still toddler or considered child?? let me go cry some more hahaha).<br /><br /><br />Love A<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeFQ9czyifc/US6KIAxIDbI/AAAAAAAABcE/sTTc53LDMXo/s1600/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeFQ9czyifc/US6KIAxIDbI/AAAAAAAABcE/sTTc53LDMXo/s320/IMG_0842.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6L0xvz9AVU/US6KL6_bBlI/AAAAAAAABcM/AWtleG01n3I/s1600/IMG_0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6L0xvz9AVU/US6KL6_bBlI/AAAAAAAABcM/AWtleG01n3I/s320/IMG_0848.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTBxVYtbMk0/US6KV2r8GeI/AAAAAAAABcU/0wOM3Q0lG7o/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTBxVYtbMk0/US6KV2r8GeI/AAAAAAAABcU/0wOM3Q0lG7o/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPGmX1U78P0/US6KWx2GN7I/AAAAAAAABcc/bMC7RzypkRQ/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPGmX1U78P0/US6KWx2GN7I/AAAAAAAABcc/bMC7RzypkRQ/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZL_TPONFfw/US6KYA5nQsI/AAAAAAAABck/klp-y5qMIlk/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZL_TPONFfw/US6KYA5nQsI/AAAAAAAABck/klp-y5qMIlk/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_GMKk7QqVw/US6KYQNgl9I/AAAAAAAABcs/nivUhh9YcZo/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_GMKk7QqVw/US6KYQNgl9I/AAAAAAAABcs/nivUhh9YcZo/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXJvw_78rVI/US6KbJj1LLI/AAAAAAAABc0/KkGsYbLmw8s/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXJvw_78rVI/US6KbJj1LLI/AAAAAAAABc0/KkGsYbLmw8s/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V9SgVeGePo/US6KbtwX7zI/AAAAAAAABc4/vYfy31jdYvA/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1V9SgVeGePo/US6KbtwX7zI/AAAAAAAABc4/vYfy31jdYvA/s320/IMG_1914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7U_gz6ygeM/US6KdT36BZI/AAAAAAAABdM/NbgazOwWv6Q/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7U_gz6ygeM/US6KdT36BZI/AAAAAAAABdM/NbgazOwWv6Q/s320/IMG_1915.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-9188552704546502572013-02-27T14:31:00.000-08:002013-02-27T14:31:07.856-08:00I am back.....I haven't posted in forever, well since last year. I honestly don't know why. No excuses. I had enough to say but no desire to sit down and type it all up. Hopefully I will find some desire soon and post normally. So lets catch up shall we.<br /><br /><br />December was R&amp;R, a 15hr drive to S Fl to spend Christmas with my parents then back home only to turn around a couple of days later and drive 8 hrs up to PA to spend New Years with the inlaws. I went from mild 30-40 degrees in VA to a sunny 70-80 in S Florida to about 20 degrees and a good 4 feet of snow in PA. How we didn't all get sick is still beyond me.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />January brought the ending of R&amp;R and a cloudy rain over my head. I was like one of those cartoons in which the cloudy rain just follows it around. My kickers were all in a twist and I just could not pull them up once again. I had a really rough time getting into the swing of things. My mommy came and spent a month with me and that helped a lot. I untwisted my panties, pulled them up once again and got into a routine and back to my donut of misery again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feNOIaxFix8/US6IeU9Fe3I/AAAAAAAABbs/RrpvsgYBRtg/s1600/IMG_0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feNOIaxFix8/US6IeU9Fe3I/AAAAAAAABbs/RrpvsgYBRtg/s320/IMG_0760.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Anyways, enough of rambling here are some pictures because honestly pictures can tell a story much better than I can :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJjW4fo3GU4/US6HFPyd4II/AAAAAAAABbI/FMD92QooBhM/s1600/IMG_1885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJjW4fo3GU4/US6HFPyd4II/AAAAAAAABbI/FMD92QooBhM/s320/IMG_1885.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7fJtdqCjUI/US6ItMnBSXI/AAAAAAAABb0/3X57wAd8wS8/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7fJtdqCjUI/US6ItMnBSXI/AAAAAAAABb0/3X57wAd8wS8/s320/IMG_0777.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6nOHfeeoN4c/US6HQWdzMCI/AAAAAAAABbU/7iORaq_j6KI/s1600/SAM_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6nOHfeeoN4c/US6HQWdzMCI/AAAAAAAABbU/7iORaq_j6KI/s320/SAM_0456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sKzkrWgZgs/US6HXKbYt-I/AAAAAAAABbc/7_q_bNqLkVY/s1600/IMG_0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sKzkrWgZgs/US6HXKbYt-I/AAAAAAAABbc/7_q_bNqLkVY/s320/IMG_0669.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p65DRk8wNGU/US6I8UfywwI/AAAAAAAABb8/BpuLSnJvzD8/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p65DRk8wNGU/US6I8UfywwI/AAAAAAAABb8/BpuLSnJvzD8/s320/IMG_0768.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIHCphkT8PQ/US6HkeMI1lI/AAAAAAAABbk/HsOoQPoXmTI/s1600/IMG_1887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIHCphkT8PQ/US6HkeMI1lI/AAAAAAAABbk/HsOoQPoXmTI/s320/IMG_1887.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-29849155096547172242012-12-20T11:33:00.000-08:002012-12-20T11:33:03.695-08:00Happiness in the midst of so much sadness..On Friday after just done baking a german chocolate cake, I sat down to watch the news and learned about the overwhelming sadness that descendent upon Conn. I had legs to shave, food to finish making, house to finish cleaning because after 9 long months my husband was on his transatlantic flight on the way home to spend 20 days filled with fun.<br /><br />I was so happy and excited about my husband coming home yet I had tears rolling down my face after trying to comprehend what going on in an elementary school states away. A school just like the one I had sent my son to that exact same morning.<br /><br />Did I tell him I loved him?? Have I been kissing him enough?? If he were to die today, would there be any unsaid words left?? Probably, and that broke my heart.<br /><br />I cried, and cried some more for those children, those parents, the gunman's family that will forever have to live with the realization they raised a killer, the community, the country, I cried for them all and then I remembered... the only way to make the dead proud is to live. Live a full life and try to not take anything for granted. <br /><br />Various parents did the same thing. They gave their children extra hugs when they came off the bus, they remembered to tell them they loved them, they gave them an extra cookie for dessert, they read an extra bedtime story and they promised themselves to not take anything for granted anymore.<br /><br />I did the same, I got dressed, shaved my legs, picked up my children up from the bus stop, and picked my husband up from the aiport. Happy that we get 20 days to spend. Happy that he is alive and I have more time to tell him how much I love him and appreciate him, instead of sad its only 20 days.<br /><br />In the next 20 days we have millions of things to do, and my resolve to not take anything for grant again might falter. I might get mad at my husband for putting socks on the couch, or upset my children spilled something for the millionth time, I am not perfect, but I am thankful I got one more chance to do it right, and you will be dammed if I waste it :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaFVD6nFddo/UNNn6SYSsgI/AAAAAAAABa0/KZ9iS6FAP48/s1600/179515_10151161246625811_871817409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaFVD6nFddo/UNNn6SYSsgI/AAAAAAAABa0/KZ9iS6FAP48/s320/179515_10151161246625811_871817409_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-6649150900885451402012-11-28T13:20:00.000-08:002012-11-28T13:24:44.164-08:00Busy busy / iphone dumpThis month things have been crazy. Its the last month before R&amp;R, my nerves are shot and I am so ready for him to be home.<br /><br />Because of all of this, I have crammed way too much this past month and kept record of it with my phone. So here is the dump...<br /><br />Enjoy!!!<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;1. I got my nose pierced :&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw35MuI_nKs/ULZ-E537ayI/AAAAAAAABYY/Mjhi1BqG3lI/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gw35MuI_nKs/ULZ-E537ayI/AAAAAAAABYY/Mjhi1BqG3lI/s320/IMG_0463.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zv5m0akzbw/ULZ-GRxNV5I/AAAAAAAABYg/zr05ilne95U/s1600/IMG_0469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zv5m0akzbw/ULZ-GRxNV5I/AAAAAAAABYg/zr05ilne95U/s320/IMG_0469.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;2. I bought a shirt to wear for Christmas but hate the way my belly looks into it so now I got to find a good sucky thing! I need plastic surgery so so bad. I seriously need to get over the fear and just get it done!!!!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmY8oGoNW8w/ULZ-H-tk2ZI/AAAAAAAABYo/N-H_2Ct6VzQ/s1600/IMG_0470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmY8oGoNW8w/ULZ-H-tk2ZI/AAAAAAAABYo/N-H_2Ct6VzQ/s320/IMG_0470.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;3. I bought dh's clone :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0QKwXB0vkk/ULZ-J3tIXDI/AAAAAAAABYw/S7UV-WCmRj0/s1600/IMG_0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0QKwXB0vkk/ULZ-J3tIXDI/AAAAAAAABYw/S7UV-WCmRj0/s320/IMG_0471.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;4. I learned how to dress my daughter in below 40 temps!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iGvHrbPMZo/ULZ-MmQoNRI/AAAAAAAABZA/TAEjx9qBUvM/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iGvHrbPMZo/ULZ-MmQoNRI/AAAAAAAABZA/TAEjx9qBUvM/s320/IMG_0477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;5. I took pictures of gorgeous fall trees.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jI6PY7wu4-I/ULZ-PorlJvI/AAAAAAAABZI/2OSAoEDbNr4/s1600/IMG_0481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jI6PY7wu4-I/ULZ-PorlJvI/AAAAAAAABZI/2OSAoEDbNr4/s320/IMG_0481.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;6. I survived 5 days at home w/ the kids over the thanksgiving holiday.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ezd5ZUpUGo/ULZ-Tn8nWRI/AAAAAAAABZc/QeG2du8dl4c/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ezd5ZUpUGo/ULZ-Tn8nWRI/AAAAAAAABZc/QeG2du8dl4c/s320/IMG_0483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;7. I had the bright idea of buy magnetic boards and get all these magnets off my fridge and into a somewhat work of art!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ayGNpIk7mA4/ULZ-VTWjXVI/AAAAAAAABZk/FS7aT6FvllA/s1600/IMG_0486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ayGNpIk7mA4/ULZ-VTWjXVI/AAAAAAAABZk/FS7aT6FvllA/s320/IMG_0486.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;8. I borrowed ideas from pinterest and made a Christmas card holder<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53w4h2v_6FU/ULZ-WqnPOVI/AAAAAAAABZs/nqpx2me9Mbc/s1600/IMG_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-53w4h2v_6FU/ULZ-WqnPOVI/AAAAAAAABZs/nqpx2me9Mbc/s320/IMG_0487.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;9. I tried one dress<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4FmGtP-kWw/ULZ-X46W_XI/AAAAAAAABZ0/qZu5QRAytXA/s1600/IMG_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4FmGtP-kWw/ULZ-X46W_XI/AAAAAAAABZ0/qZu5QRAytXA/s320/IMG_0488.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;10. and I tried another dress and I still don't have an outfit for homecoming. Commence stress in 5,4,...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d41ujsd_yg/ULZ-ZbDjamI/AAAAAAAABZ8/KlndTNRzGxo/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_d41ujsd_yg/ULZ-ZbDjamI/AAAAAAAABZ8/KlndTNRzGxo/s320/IMG_0490.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;11. I baked and a lot. Kneading dough for shortbread cubes does wonder for my soul. Ignore the fact they look funny. I didn't find my pin roller (in dd room. My daughter is always stealing my kitchen utensils) until after.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOD3546ahd4/ULZ-cnkFFmI/AAAAAAAABaI/zDUDJE2YJIw/s1600/IMG_1858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YOD3546ahd4/ULZ-cnkFFmI/AAAAAAAABaI/zDUDJE2YJIw/s320/IMG_1858.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;12. We celebrated Thanksgiving<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVwROkRbjKo/ULZ-fpvGVnI/AAAAAAAABaQ/N5Naup3BOVM/s1600/IMG_1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVwROkRbjKo/ULZ-fpvGVnI/AAAAAAAABaQ/N5Naup3BOVM/s320/IMG_1854.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;13. We took pictures for Christmas cards. 10 fails, promises of donuts and sugars and we finally got a good one. No this is not it ;)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAidJ3MMaDE/ULZ-kFjj7uI/AAAAAAAABaY/Vnr05DyiLq8/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAidJ3MMaDE/ULZ-kFjj7uI/AAAAAAAABaY/Vnr05DyiLq8/s320/IMG_1841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>14. Oh and I tried making potato pancakes and they came out horrible. So horrible we ate pb&amp;J.<br /><br />Oh the joys of pinterest. Not everything is a winner everytime.<br /><br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-9383780673668397962012-10-31T18:46:00.000-07:002012-10-31T18:46:56.169-07:00Happy halloween!!!Today is halloween and surprisingly I had an awesome time.<br /><br />You see, I didn't grew up with halloween, back home you get bags of candy on Saint of the Children's day and you dress up for Carnival. So halloween has always been kind of odd to me.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love dressing up the kids in costume and checking out the other kids in costumes. I love giving out candy and if I live in a neighborhood with lots of trick or treaters, I feel like I died and went to heaven. I don't complain about the kids not in costume and don't even care if they are too old to T&amp;T. To me, if you are willing to walk, I will gladly &nbsp;hand you a candy, because you see.....I despise walking the kids around on halloween. I can't stand it. I much rather sit on my front porch, sipping a margarita and handing out candy while checking out the awesome costumes.<br /><br />Dh loves taking the kids out so it works out, well except when he isn't home. I was dreading it having to bundle the kids up, walk around, reminding them over and over to say thank you and to stay on the sidewalk. I was going to miss out sitting on my ass checking out the costumes. No bueno!<br /><br />The heavens must have listened. My friends husband decided this year he didn't want to stay home, he was going to take the kids and my friend was going to stay home and pass out the candy. I jumped at the opportunity to throw my kids at him. For the small cost of my famous cheesecake bites batch, he agreed, we shook on it and that was that.<br /><br />I turned off my lights, grabbed my 5 bags of candy (my friend warned me this neighborhood has tons of trick or treaters) and off to her porch with my 2 munchikins I went. They left with instructions to turn up the cute and grab mommy lots of yummy stuff, and we stayed back talking. It was amazing. So many kids so many different costumes, I had a really great time. Gave away all the candy, my kids got a huge loot and some Jesus is your savior flyers (totally odd and halloween is not the time to preach but whatever).<br /><br />Pinterest also came through again this year providing me with a simple cool thing to do for this uncrafty mom.<br /><br />Last year it was halloween spiders:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZcG1UJPDGI/UJHSljrU9PI/AAAAAAAABXs/huS266lrIf8/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZcG1UJPDGI/UJHSljrU9PI/AAAAAAAABXs/huS266lrIf8/s320/IMG_0856.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />this year it was frankenstein puddings.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMCYx02I-BI/UJHSvnkSebI/AAAAAAAABX0/BXdOYLKxNPQ/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMCYx02I-BI/UJHSvnkSebI/AAAAAAAABX0/BXdOYLKxNPQ/s320/IMG_1843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />So simple, yet so much fun. I got a ton of hugs and kisses for it.<br /><br /><br />Customary halloween picture (My kids and godchildren)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFBr_0Yk0qI/UJHS8K49EII/AAAAAAAABX8/4Fw8-vYGVi0/s1600/IMG_0456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFBr_0Yk0qI/UJHS8K49EII/AAAAAAAABX8/4Fw8-vYGVi0/s320/IMG_0456.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Oh so tired but oh so happy with the prospect of eating lbs and lbs of sugar.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnq_0rXMT8I/UJHTv1Bl8mI/AAAAAAAABYE/m704W22Pmsw/s1600/halloween+candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mnq_0rXMT8I/UJHTv1Bl8mI/AAAAAAAABYE/m704W22Pmsw/s320/halloween+candy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One holiday down, one to go, and then hubby home for R&amp;R for the 3rd one. I couldn't be happier.<br /><br /><br />Love A<br /><br /><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-33836639948705269652012-10-30T08:54:00.001-07:002012-10-30T09:05:15.217-07:00Oh sooo close..Everyone that is not friends with me on facebook has been asking whats up with my weight loss. I mean I created a whole new tab in this blog just to talk about it.<br /><br />When I started this journey, I became obsessed. I would weigh, measure myself and my food, than I hit stalls and would freak out. "OMG this is not going to work for me. I am destined to be fat..blah blah blah".<br />Finally I got so busy I didn't have time to do all of this anymore that took so much out of my life.<br /><br />Something extraordinary happened, the less I worried, the more I lost. I went to Brazil and indulged, I bought Cheetos for the first time in years and years and really enjoyed every single crumb and even licked my orange dusted fingers. I went out to lunch with friends and ordered whatever I pleased. Granted instead of a whole bag of chips I can maybe have a tiny bag, instead of appetizer, main course, and dessert, I can only manage appetizer, but it wasn't just boring healthy stuff. It was deep fried and delicious except now everything was on moderation. Life was good, and the scale was moving the right direction. I got 5 lbs away from goal and was so happy with myself, until of course I hit a stall and here I am. If we don't count these last 5lbs, I would have been at goal 9 &nbsp;months post op. 90 lbs lost. Except I been fighting with these 5lbs for 2 months now and they are not going anywhere. Everyone tells me I am at goal and to just be happy, and don't get me wrong, I am happy, this is the best thing I ever did in my life. I feel wonderful, have to so much energy and food doesn't control me anymore. Except, goal is goal and I am 5 lbs from goal.<br /><br />Also, last night after surviving the storm of the century, I realized how I still turn to food. Last week at the supermarket if you were a little fly and could read thoughts you would see a woman standing in front of the containers of nutella going "Should I or shouldn't I??" Finally her little devil sitting on her shoulder said "I am going to buy nutella. I have lost almost 90 lbs, I am mature and have self control" and I happily walked to the cash register and paid for my purchases, including my beautiful jar of nutella that I hadn't bought in over a year. I completely forgot about it until last night. I was so stressed, I had 3 tablespoons of nutella. Now in the grand scheme of things, 3 tablespoons of nutella is not going to do it anything, its not like I am bathing in it and my pores are seeping it and turning into fat 24/7. But it just shocked me, how little self control I have and how food is still a comfort for me. I don't know if this is only a fat girl things, or even skinny people with amazing bodies, still use food for comfort??<br /><br />Fear also creeped up. I don't want to go back to "the before". Not only for vanity reasons or the fact that I am really enjoying buying size 10's. I don't want to go back to the before, because in the before, that girl wasn't happy, she was depressed and not really living. A complete 180 from who she is today.<br /><br />So, this morning I am back to the basics, lots of protein, lots of water and no nutella or cheetos for a while, because I set up to do something when I started this and that was to reach 150lbs and 155 is not 150. I know its close and all but its not goal.<br /><br />Wish me luck :)<br /><br />A<br /><br />Before 240 lbs size 22-23, After: &nbsp;11 months post op 155lbs size 10 or 8 depending on brand.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd31knq1wHY/UI_4B8UUv2I/AAAAAAAABXc/eIHI98sUvZ8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-30+at+11.37.17+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd31knq1wHY/UI_4B8UUv2I/AAAAAAAABXc/eIHI98sUvZ8/s320/Screen+shot+2012-10-30+at+11.37.17+AM.png" width="247" /></a></div><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-11214516578273960092012-10-09T08:26:00.001-07:002012-10-09T08:27:15.302-07:00Thats just how I roll...Dusting off the spiderwebs...<br /><br />I haven't posted in anything in a while. Its not for lack of inspiration. I have about 4-5 half written posts saved.<br /><br />I could have written this wonderful sippy cup review post that I made after realizing how many we have gone through ever since my kids have been out of bottles and because I care about you all, I wanted to save you some money.<br /><br />I could have made another post about how I was the happiest mom the first day my child started kindergarden and all my fears of him riding the big yellow bus alone (even though the school is less than 3 miles from the house)<br /><br />I could have made another post how I took cupcakes to his school the day before his birthday, and that ever other child from other kinder classes that were eating lunch at the same time we were celebrating my sons birthday, looked on with sad eyes like they also wanted a piece of cake.<br /><br />I could have ranted about spending $60 on a beautiful fondant cake for ds's birthday that tasted like ass and no one liked it (even though I ordered from the highest rated bakery around here)<br /><br />I could have made the same old same old post I make every year when my kids get old. I would have gotten sappy about my first born turning 6.<br /><br />I could have written about my first deployment breakdown in which I whined about it on facebook and felt like an idiot (hey its been 6 months already usually the time we schedule R&amp;R, but this year we decided to push it back so he could be home for Christmas and even tough I know its going to be worth it, finding the strength to survive another couple of months is becoming increasingly harder each day :()<br /><br />I definitely could have talked about dd current obsession with Hello kitty, to the point that she refuses to wear anything besides kitty!<br /><br />My mom being here for a week and half visiting and we having an amazing time, could have definitely made for an interesting post.<br /><br />The fact that I already turned on my heater, pulled out my park and boots after the temps dropped into the low 50's, would have gotten a few laughs from you cold blooded people for sure.....<br /><br />but I don't want to talk about any of that. Maybe later, maybe never who knows.<br /><br />So to break my blogging sabbatical, I am going to leave you with a picture of food<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRM5-Fz3XAg/UHRCGl7k_JI/AAAAAAAABXI/i2KEQf482RU/s1600/Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRM5-Fz3XAg/UHRCGl7k_JI/AAAAAAAABXI/i2KEQf482RU/s320/Chicken.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />This is chicken stroganoff. The best chicken stroganoff ever. Drool on =)<br /><br /><br />Love A<br /><br /><br /><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-5532210929274052982012-08-10T07:06:00.001-07:002012-08-10T07:10:20.738-07:00All about flip flopsSoon I will talk about the second part of my vacation and what led me to a crazy thought, but now I want to talk about flip flops.<br /><br />I love flip flops. I really do, I live in them, have gotten married using them, have asked previous boss if I could wear them to work (sometimes yes sometimes no), I have flip flop magnets, keychains,<br /><br />wine cups with flip flop designs, you name it. Flip flop rocks my world.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYHYrM6SB1U/UCUUaqnQXTI/AAAAAAAABWM/UfQjg8CP7M0/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYHYrM6SB1U/UCUUaqnQXTI/AAAAAAAABWM/UfQjg8CP7M0/s320/IMG_1762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>How cute is this magnet??<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJtZeSj5xVs/UCUUctIf9xI/AAAAAAAABWU/yCFMrv_cbD4/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJtZeSj5xVs/UCUUctIf9xI/AAAAAAAABWU/yCFMrv_cbD4/s320/IMG_1766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Or this keychain??<br /><br /><br />Just to give you an idea I have 1 pair of boots, 2 pair of sneakers, 4 sandals (2 brand new acquired) and over 10 pair of flip flops. I won't admit how many I have because you will be shocked, so lets just say way way over 10 ;)<br /><br />After trying all kinds from different price ranges, I have narrowed it down to my favorite 3 and I would love to share with you in case you are in the market for a new pair.<br /><br />3. Havaianas. Stop right now, you are pronouncing it wrong for sure its: &nbsp;AH- VAI-(like vaio the laptop) ANAS (like the end of bananas).<br /><br />&nbsp;How could I not love them?? I am biased considering they are imported from my homeland and that is what everyone back home wears. Total brand pride. But its not just biased opinion, they are really amazing. A brand couldn't have been around for 50 years if they didn't rock everyone's world. Not only are they the cutest ever<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqIMfPlzy5Y/UCUUjIcS_1I/AAAAAAAABWs/tUs79Iop1e8/s1600/IMG_1769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqIMfPlzy5Y/UCUUjIcS_1I/AAAAAAAABWs/tUs79Iop1e8/s320/IMG_1769.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Look at the pair I just picked up back home:<br /><br /><br />They are lightweight and very comfortable comes in various styles and pretty decent priced. Men, children, older adults, they all seem to love them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQvXhLLnoKo/UCUUlmboqeI/AAAAAAAABW0/VPmY6jreVxM/s1600/IMG_1770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQvXhLLnoKo/UCUUlmboqeI/AAAAAAAABW0/VPmY6jreVxM/s320/IMG_1770.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>2. Rainbows- I am sure I am going to get a lot of hate mail for putting rainbows on the number 2 spot instead of the number 1 spot, but I can't help myself. You see when I first bought my first pair of Rainbows I loved them. They were amazing and made me feel like I made a good investment. It was hard for this cheap ass to drop $50 on a pair of flip flops. But considering I use them so much, its an investment (at least that is what I tell my other half).<br /><br />Rainbows are awesome. They really are and mine are worn thin. I have used them very much this part year of ownership. They suck in the beginning because you got to break them in so therefore you might get blisters for the first couple days, but after breaking them in, its like stepping on a cloud. They fit nicely on your feet, lightweight (a bit heavier than havaianas but not by much). They don't slip and slide when wet, in fact if feels like they grip on to your feet when wet. &nbsp;If it wasn't for my number one choice I would definitely put rainbows at the number 1 spot..but..<br /><br />1. Reefs. I can't say enough about these. More specifically reef fannings. You see I wasn't even in the market for new flip flops. I had my rainbows and was perfectly happy browsing Macys when I saw these :<br /><br />(don't mind how beat up they are. I get a hell lot of use of them)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Idgh08a64nM/UCUUe1qvcjI/AAAAAAAABWc/9V4EQs94pkM/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Idgh08a64nM/UCUUe1qvcjI/AAAAAAAABWc/9V4EQs94pkM/s320/IMG_1767.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I decided to try them on, walked a couple of steps around the store and bought them. At about the same price of rainbows that was total splurge but I was sold on just a couple of steps. They are super comfortable, better for those of us that have wider feet, heavier than rainbows and definitely twice as heavy as havaianas, but don't let that discourage you. They don't feel heavy. At the end of the day even though I wore flip flops all the time, my feet still hurt. I have extremely flat feet (the reason why I prefer flip flops. They hurt less). Well at the end of the day even after walking &nbsp;10-20 miles or more, I have no pain whatsoever. I got new blisters while in Brazil when I walked a good 15 miles one day from wearing my Rainbows, but no pain or blisters whatsoever when I wore my Reefs. The most amazing thing about Reef fannings is, right underneath each of them there is a bottle opener.<br /><br /><br />Crazy right!! It seems like a stupid thing and I really laughed at it and dh pointed and made fun of me when he saw it. Except that he tried on my reefs fell in love and bought himself a pair. Who would have thunk it that a couple months later he would be stuck in afghanistan with no bottle opener and trying to drink an old style coke bottle?? Oh yeah he is not laughing now. His reefs came in handy :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJs6qjM8Wgw/UCUUg2ktZPI/AAAAAAAABWk/oRMfMhgt6ro/s1600/IMG_1768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJs6qjM8Wgw/UCUUg2ktZPI/AAAAAAAABWk/oRMfMhgt6ro/s320/IMG_1768.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;That is why they are number one in my book :)<br /><br />I hope I helped you make a decision the next time you are in the market for some new flip flops :)<br /><br /><br />** Ignore how dirty and worn out my flip flops are. No new flip flops were provided for this review. This is my own thoughts only.<br />** Sorry if they are upside down, if you were expecting a perfect picture, you are in the wrong blog..lol<br /><br />Do you have a favorite?? Maybe a new brand I haven't heard of it?? Feel free to share, I am all up about trying new flip flops :)<br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-25000925652261752472012-08-06T14:14:00.000-07:002012-08-06T14:20:25.766-07:00Vacation part II just got home today, after thousands of miles of driving with 2 kids and their crap and one international flight with a child and all her crap, I am back to the good ol USA and even though we had an amazing time, with memories that will keep us warm until our next summer vacation, I am glad to be back. I am still working through all the laundry and organizing I have now left to do, but all that can wait while I try to summarize our fun time.<br /><br />1st leg of our vacation took all 3 of us to S Fl to my parents house. Lots of summer days, delicious drinks, lazily lounging days filled of pool and sunshine. The kids both got a nice little tan and lots of love from the grandparents.<br /><br />Than it was time to pack and repack and organize all suitcases and dd and I hopped on a plane to Brazil (Ds didn't want to go so he stayed behind being spoiled by the grandparents and attending camp) while dd and I made the 9 long hr flight to Rio. It was the first time I have flown internationally with dd and I was pleasantly surprised what a great flier she is. She slept before we boarded, I boarded with her sleeping, and she didn't wake up again until 6am, 2 hours before we were about to land. Easy peasy. Getting 4 70lb suitcases, 1 bookback, 1 purse, 1 stroller and 1 child through customs and security was a whole other mess, but we won't dwell on that. She was a great flier, the plane didn't crash, all good :)<br /><br />I haven't been home since Ty was 3 years old, so the purpose of this trip was for dd to meet her great-grandparents (lucky child has 3). Well she met them all, got loved on by her cousins, spoiled by aunts, played, laughed, ate so much junk and just had a good old time. Language barrier didn't stop her or them. Somehow she communicated with everyone and everyone just loved on her. She came back thinking she was all that :)<br /><br />I had tons of fun. This time I had no desire to see any landmarks. I have seen them all a million times, dh wasn't with me, and dd is too young. I had a strong desire to remember how people live and see if this is something we could do in the future. You see I left Brazil when I was 13, there is a golden rule that after 7 years in America, everyone that returns have a really hard time adapting and want to come back to live in the US. For vacation is amazing, to live is a whole other different story (more at part II) so I wanted to experience daily life and see if this is a possibility in our near future. My aunt was more than happy to oblige.<br /><br />She took me to work, I rode the bus (the majority of Brazillians ride the bus because of cars so expensive and gas prices double of what the US offers (even though we are a huge export of gasoline (don't even try to understand how that works)), the whole country rides the bus. The bus system works. There is a bus every 5 minutes and because you ride the bus you walk. You walk here there and everywhere. Thank goodness because if wasn't for all that walking, I would have gained a good 20 lbs in 20 days ;)<br /><br />So I rode the bus (standing up because it was packed), paid to go pee (public restrooms are a rarity and at the shopping center you pay 50 cents to go pee), I went to work with her, I went shopping (and carried all my groceries a good 10 miles, than lugged all of them on the bus and than lugged all of them home), I went clubbing, I went to bars, I played beach volleyball, I ate churros filled with dulce de leche from the street vendors, than 5 seconds later I ate a chicken crepe, than a half hour later I ate pork skins and before the end of the day I bought sweet peanuts from a toothless centenarian street vendor. One day I walked so much and so far, I had blisters from my flip flops..lol.<br /><br />I had an amazing time seeing all my cousins aunts and uncles. I met new cousins that recently joined the family and a couple more that will join the family pretty soon after getting married.<br />I am the first one to provide grandchildren/great grandkids so therefore to say my kids are spoiled with love is an understatement. 3 years ago they spoiled ds and this time they did the same for dd. They could do no wrong and since there hasn't been a child in the family in a long time, you can only imagine how everyone acted around her. &nbsp;She was more than happy to oblige. The amazing/scary thing about dd is that she will go with anyone. She will blow kisses to strangers, talk to anyone and let anyone pick her up and love on her. If you have long hair, a plus because she loves to suck her thumb and rub anyones hair. So, she easily got held by everyone all day long. Even strangers on the elevator talked to her, kissed her, and just fell in love with her.<br /><br />I had a lot of time and many eye openers during this trip to think and rethink about my life. Just to give you an example, the only place I stay is at my aunts place. She is my mothers youngest sister and my favorite relative ever. We are very similar. Well she lives in a 1000 square feet 2/1 apartment and it lives her, her son that is 9, her 22 year old daughter and her parents (my grandparents). There is many other places that I could have easily stayed and had a lot more space, but I decline them all because my aunts place is home. She is the absolute best host ever, last time I went to Brazil with the hubby and ds, I stayed and her place, this time I stayed at her place, and will stay again anytime I go. It was very eye opening for me. In this current rat race that we are for bigger and better (house, cars, toys, etc), to realize how comfortable I feel in very small living quarters and to learn the lesson that being a good host has absolutely nothing to do with the size of your place.<br /><br />Next time I will talk more about that, I have talked plenty, and will leave you with some pictures.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5fRv1IoPfc/UCAyhjD4Q7I/AAAAAAAABU0/MJx3GFlDzrg/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5fRv1IoPfc/UCAyhjD4Q7I/AAAAAAAABU0/MJx3GFlDzrg/s320/IMG_1563.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;The view from my aunts 12 floor. One day I shall live on the 12th floor. Its a great babysitter. I can't even tell you how many hours this child spent just admiring the view.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TuhB_tHyDrA/UCAyqXUYMEI/AAAAAAAABU8/9DDE0Ej1Jc4/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TuhB_tHyDrA/UCAyqXUYMEI/AAAAAAAABU8/9DDE0Ej1Jc4/s320/IMG_1650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Getting love from some cousins!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6D8j2mEmUug/UCAysLuUN3I/AAAAAAAABVE/4kX41RaonNU/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6D8j2mEmUug/UCAysLuUN3I/AAAAAAAABVE/4kX41RaonNU/s320/IMG_1759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;The first time this child goes to the beach in Rio and she is asleep. Granted it was 9pm during beach volleyball but still. Don't worry though, she woke up after :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBtXQ48LtF0/UCAyxUgXD9I/AAAAAAAABVM/zZ6ZEBvzrEg/s1600/IMG_1753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBtXQ48LtF0/UCAyxUgXD9I/AAAAAAAABVM/zZ6ZEBvzrEg/s320/IMG_1753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>&nbsp;Eating sweet popcorn at the park.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdFWOAXWWAE/UCAy110_K1I/AAAAAAAABVU/tu-Hc7FLqRI/s1600/IMG_1709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdFWOAXWWAE/UCAy110_K1I/AAAAAAAABVU/tu-Hc7FLqRI/s320/IMG_1709.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Cooking with my beautiful cousin!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJjrSLyU9gM/UCAzbtUPo7I/AAAAAAAABVg/__alfK63tlc/s1600/IMG_1713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJjrSLyU9gM/UCAzbtUPo7I/AAAAAAAABVg/__alfK63tlc/s320/IMG_1713.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />After my aunt let her play with water and make a mess, she gave her this makeshift dress in order to dry her clothes!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlPMRqCBCQM/UCA0ztbG1FI/AAAAAAAABVo/SdPecp-lUqU/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MlPMRqCBCQM/UCA0ztbG1FI/AAAAAAAABVo/SdPecp-lUqU/s320/IMG_1723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Playing with aunties hair!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIB6RslP1zQ/UCA05-Cw9WI/AAAAAAAABVw/yZex5gnKx68/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIB6RslP1zQ/UCA05-Cw9WI/AAAAAAAABVw/yZex5gnKx68/s320/IMG_1689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;Celebrating greatgrandmothers 67th birthday!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOA--T-2d7I/UCA08zdEGbI/AAAAAAAABV4/u19E9CqIxPI/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOA--T-2d7I/UCA08zdEGbI/AAAAAAAABV4/u19E9CqIxPI/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Playing with cousins hair!<br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-14110129213108907642012-07-04T06:10:00.001-07:002012-07-04T06:11:05.625-07:00Happy 4th!!!Getting your citizenship, having your husband deployed, loving the USA, etc etc etc just makes celebrating this 4th, that much sweeter.<br /><br />Happy 4th everyone :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkW87TgaA3M/T_RA0fZYEbI/AAAAAAAABUo/Cw_G85MY9Pg/s1600/USA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkW87TgaA3M/T_RA0fZYEbI/AAAAAAAABUo/Cw_G85MY9Pg/s320/USA.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-16981544818400029012012-07-04T05:59:00.001-07:002012-07-04T06:01:32.294-07:00Wordless Wednesday!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4mryjLfwpk/T_Q-CfabYvI/AAAAAAAABUU/arLIn6oyd7E/s1600/ju+in+bucket+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4mryjLfwpk/T_Q-CfabYvI/AAAAAAAABUU/arLIn6oyd7E/s320/ju+in+bucket+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uc0TZDeoBok/T_Q-E1hcRCI/AAAAAAAABUc/x6hEBvDrDrY/s1600/ju+in+new+bucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uc0TZDeoBok/T_Q-E1hcRCI/AAAAAAAABUc/x6hEBvDrDrY/s320/ju+in+new+bucket.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Someone got upgraded =)<br /><br />Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-59860021477306502402012-06-27T18:10:00.000-07:002012-07-01T18:20:00.387-07:00The new old me..Today I turned 31 years old. I have been having a rough time since turning 30. Age never bothered me until I was 29 than one night I decided to rethink everything I have ever done in my life, every single decision, and asides from being the stupidest thing I have ever done and don't ever do that. I came to some realizations. The main one was many things I have wanted and planned to do it, I haven't done it, but many others that I have never thought in a million years I wanted, were things I accomplished. Someone out there in the stratosphere knows me better than myself. But still turning 31 has been rough. I have more white hairs, lines around my face, some scars that will never fade, there are some styles of clothes that I will never again be able to wear, and to accept all that is not easy. Until finally one night I had a good realization. If I compare myself to others, of course I am never going to measure up but if I compare myself to myself only and use my before to measure up, than I am doing just fine.<br /><br />In just one year from 30 to 31 I have lost 71 lbs (so far), I am healthier and way more active than I was before. I am calmer, and even tough I have some more lines around my eyes, I also have a lot more wisdom. I have been tested over and over again this past year and have passed every single time. My love for my husband has grown. We are at a good place in our relationship. A really good place. Also lately I feel like I am at a good place in motherhood. I am still learning and making mistakes, but I am way more comfortable in my own abilities and don't judge myself so harshly anymore.<br /><br />So I guess getting older hasn't been all that bad. Don't get me wrong, its not easy, but because I am married to an amazing man that sent me delicious cupcakes, turning 31 wasn't all that bad.<br /><br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-64646006207455259542012-06-11T08:41:00.002-07:002012-06-11T08:44:24.846-07:00Clean all thingsI like a clean house, but I am not paranoid. &nbsp;I don't have floors that you can eat off, if you want that, I will gladly give you my moms address. You can eat off her floors because she is <strike>paranoid </strike>&nbsp;a very clean person.<br /><br />I on the other hand like clean but could care less if my house is sparkling like a hospital. If there is a choice between watching Sons of Anarchy or cleaning my floor, I will gladly pick tv. So usually I try to clean smarter not harder.<br /><br />One thing I am paranoid about is my floors. You see I walk barefoot 24/7 and to step in little pieces of crackers, rocks, play dough and etc is very annoying. I have been having a hard time keeping these floors the way I like. Clean and shiny. When I rented this place I found out my landlord had gone through a divorce and was living alone. The stains in the baseboards, the dingy floors, it showed. So for the past couple months I been trying and trying and still nothing.<br /><br />Finally I hit a break. First I bought brand new pads for my shark. You see everyone has a shark and those pads are washable, but after months, there is no amount of bleaching that will make them clean. So I went searching for some and hit jackpot when I found 3 brand new pads for my shark for 10 bucks on ebay. That is way cheaper than anywhere around, so look there if you are in the need of some new ones.<br /><br />Then I began searching pinterest for floor cleaning recipes. After trying many and many trips to the store to buy new stuff, I picked my favorite and its this one :<br /><br /><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/7810999324050871/" target="_blank">FLOOR CLEANER</a><br /><br />OMG is this thing amazing or what?? I put it right inside my shark instead of a spray bottle like she did and my floor shines. It looks like a brand new floor, not some ugly dingy crap. The difference is huge.<br /><br />So if you are in need of some sparkling floors get the new pads on ebay for a fraction of the cost and make this cleaner. You won't be disappointed.<br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-4865840862656681782012-05-26T12:56:00.001-07:002012-05-26T12:59:57.148-07:00Just a reminder...<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">For love of country they accepted death... -James A. Garfield</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf__1nk7XA8/T8E1aER-o-I/AAAAAAAABUI/W-c09LnQIww/s1600/memorial+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf__1nk7XA8/T8E1aER-o-I/AAAAAAAABUI/W-c09LnQIww/s320/memorial+day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Stay safe, have fun, enjoy all that has been provided for you by our heroes, just don't forget your gratitude!Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-36191074476506220892012-05-25T12:08:00.002-07:002012-05-25T12:13:44.950-07:00The downside of weight lossDon't get me wrong, weight loss is amazing. You wake up with more energy, confidence goes through the roof, shopping is a bit more fun and you don't dread it as much because there is options now. We won't even talk about the health wise benefits, because that is just a given.<br /><br />But weight loss has a downside. It's not enough to discourage anyone from it , but its there and I want to talk about it so you won't be shocked if it happens to you.<br /><br />1. Forgetting to eat. When you are fat all you think about is food. Food is a constant thought in your mind, you are thinking and planning your next meal from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. When you have lost weight, naturally you eat less and some days you can even forget meals. With more energy you are so busy, forgetting a meal happens. I know all my fluffy friends are thinking "no way not possible, I so wish that could happen to me". I use to have the same thoughts and now that is happening to me, I realize its not good. I can't even tell you the amount of days that by 3 pm and I am ready to pass out and I realize how exhausted/drained I really am because I haven't eaten since 7am.<br /><br />2.No matter how much weight you have lost or how small you are, your problems will still be there and more pronounced. When you are fat and have size 2 visions, you think "If only I was skinny, I would have no problems" and you think every skinny person got their shit together and are happier, b/c well they are skinny. Newsflash, that is not true o.O. Granted I am not a size 2 yet, doubt I will ever be, but I am 10 sizes lower than what I started so I can commet. I still have the same problems as I had before, life still throws crap in my way, but bc I am not carrying around extra weight, it seems easier to deal with.<br /><br />3. Skin won't bounce back. You might weight less than what you did in high school, work out like a fanatic, but your skin will never look the same. Things will sag and hang. I actually think my skin looks worse than before, because before it had something to fill it up, but now there is nothing. Picture a month old balloon, its not as pretty as a brand new filled balloon right?? Well that is the same with your skin. Dreams of wearing a 2 piece this summer are rapidly fadding. Unless there is extensive plastic surgery in my future, I won't be in a 2 piece any time soon. That was a big shock and dissapointment. After everything, I still don't have the body to pose nude for playboy :(<br /><br />4. It costs $100 to resize your rings and you will need to have them all resized because them spinning is very annoying. Same with your watch.<br /><br />5. Yours once overly confident husband will have doubts and some low self esteem. He might question if after all this weight loss and confidence booster, you will leave him. You will have to continue to reassure him that thats not the case and you are not shallow. Even though every time you pass mirror now (dressed) you smile at your image.<br /><br />6. Replacing your whole closet and loosing your favorite outfits sucks. It sucks even more that until you are completely done with your weight loss, you can only get a few staple pieces because if not you are going to quickly loose them. Finding new favorite outfits can be a pain (I don't know if that is for everyone or if it only applies to me that don't love to shop).<br /><br />7. Even the lower sizes, depending on the brands can vary. I can't just grab something and buy it without trying it on. Because I can range between 3 sizes depending on the store.<br /><br />8. Your favorite boots and some shoes will need to be replaced. Talk about a big shock. I had no idea, but your feet can go down in size and since your calfs are smaller, your favorite boots will just look stupid. I have brand new uggs that I only got to wear 1 season and now won't stay up and my feet are sliding inside of them :(. Same with my pair of "fuck me boots". They were gorgeous high leather boots that I spent a small fortune on and love them. Yeah anyone wants one??<br /><br />9. If someone doesn't like you, now you know its you. When you are fat, you think if someone doesn't like you its because you are fat and fat people disgust them (hey I never said we didn't have issues ;)), now if someone doesn't like you, it hurts even more because you know its about your personality and not your weight.<br /><br />10. Finding things to eat is a pain. Restaurant eating and fast food is not made for people on their quest of their perfect size. The portions are huge and while there is one or two things in the menu you can eat, &nbsp; the majority are not made for you. Don't get me wrong, I still pretty much eat whatever I want, just in extremely small portions and I am very picky of how I spend my calories. I don't know if this is just a side effect of weight loss surgery in general, or if the rest of the population on their weight loss quest feels the same way, but there it is.<br /><br /><br />Now I realize this sounds like a very depressing post and one would wonder why would want to even go through the hassles of it after this?? That was not my intention. Trust me the upside is there. The pros outweigh the cons any day of the week and there is millions of websites and lists that you can find online that will talk about that, but that you already know and don't need me to repeat it. I wanted to post this because no one really talks about it, and as I am going through my journey there were shocks along the way like these and other things that really messed with my head and I wished I was more informed about it, so that is the purpose of this post, just to inform you so your shock won't be as huge as mine.<br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-8053723264973783702012-05-20T09:35:00.002-07:002012-05-20T09:37:48.920-07:00OMG she bakes!!!Yes, yes I do and I love it. After talking to so many people over the years, I have come to the conclusion I am unique. I like cooking and baking. It relaxes me and unwinds me. I will be up at 2am just baking to my hearts content. Sometimes dinner is done by 3 pm and I have to keep reheating. Other times even, I will cook dinner than still have the itch to cook so I will prepare the next days dinner, bake a cake and make muffins.<br />With my husband gone, I have to really tone down on the amount I bake since there is only so much small children can eat. I do take stuff to the fire department and give it away to friends, but its still not enough and I am sure that secretly they think I am insane. You should have just seen the look the firefighter got when he helped me unload 48 muffins, 2 breads, and 3 cakes that I had baked all for them.<br /><br />Today I had an urge to just cook to my hearts content. The kids were playing with playdoh after eating this delicious breakfast :<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnYu35r2LZU/T7kci13MZ5I/AAAAAAAABT8/txIPoU9xKw4/s1600/wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnYu35r2LZU/T7kci13MZ5I/AAAAAAAABT8/txIPoU9xKw4/s320/wrap.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br />recipe:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/healthy-eating/10-easy-healthy-kids-breakfast-recipes-pancake-smoothies/?page=9" target="_blank">WRAP</a><br /><br />&nbsp;and I was free to just cook and bake.<br /><br />Breakfast I have the hardest time. I don't like giving them cereal and I don't have a habit to eat cereal. Its not a brazillian thing ;) also poptarts makes me shudder. I honestly think they are absolute nasty. Hey I said I was unique read weird!! &nbsp;so they get oatmeal, yogurt, homemade pancakes, homemade waffles, and during the weekends I make eggs or omelets but its still not enough. I get bored after eating the same couple things, I am guessing the kids are the same because they haven't really been wanting to eat their breakfast and since I am trying to wade through the hundreds of pins I have on pintrest, the winner became this yogurt strawberry cake:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FMgGn_IgAk/T7kb2Uw_UzI/AAAAAAAABT0/nptKMxfbygo/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FMgGn_IgAk/T7kb2Uw_UzI/AAAAAAAABT0/nptKMxfbygo/s320/cake.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />recipe : &nbsp;<a href="http://tideandthyme.com/strawberry-yogurt-cake/" target="_blank">Cake</a><br />&nbsp;It does take some sugar (that I toned down with splenda and brown sugar) and some buttermilk (that I subbed for milk/lemon juice) but overall its pretty healthy. So I made it and OMG its so good. Definitely a keeper and it would have been wonderful if I stopped at that. But of course not. Since I had everything out I also decided to make some banana bread, pumpkin muffins, pork chops with sweetpotato hash and dinner is sitting in the crockpot already. I am also debating on making a pretzel strawberry torte that everyone keeps raving about it. I am telling you I have issues..lol.<br /><br />ps. If you have any new ideas that you can share on what to feed kids breakfast please share. I am not a huge breakfast fan (I like breakfast food for dinner) and I am perfectly content with just a cup of ice coffee, but unfortunately kids don't do well with coffee. Darn!!!<br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-25038443242744219132012-05-13T15:05:00.001-07:002012-05-13T15:07:32.396-07:00Happy Mother's Day!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElXvXxXTIes/T7AwB0ZdiYI/AAAAAAAABTo/SZbXEHkfvBw/s1600/happy-mothers-day-jokes11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ElXvXxXTIes/T7AwB0ZdiYI/AAAAAAAABTo/SZbXEHkfvBw/s400/happy-mothers-day-jokes11.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>May your children never embarrass you.<br />&nbsp;May your boobs never hang lower than your skirt<br />&nbsp;May your life be filled with delicious kisses and hugs instead of tantrums and No's<br />&nbsp;May your days be full of giggles and laughter instead of anger<br />&nbsp;May everyone that you encounter praise your children instead of making smart ass comments<br />&nbsp;May your child learn everything that you have taught them instead of the complete opposite.<br />&nbsp;May you never run out of wine or coffee<br />&nbsp;Happy mother's day everyone :)Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-22056200577847331642012-05-11T14:36:00.000-07:002012-05-11T14:36:43.464-07:00JoyYou know I haven't written anything in so long I should talk about the important things like *how I survived another move with 2 kids and little drama *how living down the road from my best friend is wonderful *how accounting is kicking my ass and making me debate changing my major again *Insanity I tell you* *or how my liberal arts class has made me start a blog *I could also talk about all the joys of buying a car alone with a power of attorney and how when you can negotiate an amazing deal on an awesome car with tons of cup holders, you feel really good. *I definitely could talk about how I am down almost 60lbs and have to break down and get clothes because saggy undies is just not sexy at all I could talk about so much, but honestly I am not going to bore you with the details. I am not going to talk about any of that (well I kind of just did but roll with me), I am going to talk about the joy and pure happiness of living in a place you finally enjoy. With the military and contracting now we have moved, and moved and moved. I have had way too many addresses in various parts of the country. Some were great some so so. In the military it's all about "blooming where you are planted". I have talked about this before, and honestly I tried. I really tried but I wilted. I didn't bloom. As soon as I stepped off the plane here in VA, I took a deep breath, felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I smiled. This town is amazing, there is so much to do, so many activities, everything is so close by. There is humidity and seasons, there is rain and sunshine. There is humidity. Gosh I love humidity. My skin is all soft again, my daughter got her curls back and its all good in the neighborhood. So my long drawn out point is find your happiness. If you are not happy somewhere, don't suck it up, try to figure out where you would be happy and make it happen. Works towards because some things will make you happy and some things wont and its okay and absolutely normal. Sucking up and plastering a smile on your face when you don't feel takes too much energy. I been unhappy and now I am happy and I am not going back. Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-88457348953696144722012-04-20T10:54:00.001-07:002012-04-20T10:56:16.790-07:00Ally's logicI was explaining to my husband that I am still really scared about flying on Sunday. He mentioned that in the past 4 months he has flown countless times. Over 3k miles to be exact. Without missing a beat, I told him in the past 15 years I have stuck countless tampons in my vajay-jay. That still wouldn't ease his fears if I tried to stick one in him. Needless to say, he didn't appreciate my logic and its not talking to me. Love A ;)Allyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-59261279470567877642012-04-04T09:24:00.007-07:002012-04-04T09:53:29.153-07:00Lots of blah blah blah!!!* I went from an SUV to a matchbox car. While putting my daughter in her car seat, I have banged her head on the roof 3 times. Can I still get my mommy of the year award??<br /><br />* I have lost more than half of my excess body weight, yet high heels still hurt my feet. I guess I am never going to be able to wear them.<br /><br />*I am 43lbs lighter and still have issues. My whole notion that skinnier people have no problems and perfect lives is fadding fast. Maybe after I get to goal, I won't have any more problems and will be pleasantly surprise. One can only hope. <br /><br />*I purchased a dress (my 3rd one ever counting my wedding dress) to wear to church on Sunday, yet because shoes still hurt, I will be that woman dressed up with flip flops on. Don't judge ;)<br /><br />* When coming out of the store, I circled the parking lot twice and had a mini panick attack thinking someone stole my car. Than I remembered I don't have my car anymore and got a rental that looks nothing like my car. This is not the first time I have done this!<br /><br />* My kids don't have school on Friday because of Good Friday. I am a huge Jesus fan, but kids home for 3 days straight might drive me to drink.<br /><br />* I stood in the dressing room of Kohls for 10 minutes deciding if I was going to buy this big hat or not.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkSVXL3hEgI/T3x36lauV7I/AAAAAAAABTY/Z4ajZLVgky0/s1600/Hat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkSVXL3hEgI/T3x36lauV7I/AAAAAAAABTY/Z4ajZLVgky0/s400/Hat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727584674468747186" /></a><br /><br />(You see I have always wanted one, and been in awe of all the sophisticated ladies that went to the horse races wearing one of these. But there is no horse races in my future and I don't think I am cool enough to pull one off, but yet for 10 minutes, I stood there debating getting one just so I could wear while cooking or to Walmart. I think I am loosing it.)<br /><br />* I have never worn stockings in my life and still can't apply makeup. I guess being sophisticated and "put together" is an out of this world thought. <br /><br />*Sometimes I will still catch people looking at me with that look that says "she has such a pretty face, if she just lost some weight". It happens less often than before but still happens. All I want to do is scream "I am trying and getting there". But I am not supposed to care what others say or think. Yeah that is going really good.<br /><br />*I hate flying in small planes. Put me in a big plane any day of the week and I will have no issues. Flying in a small plane and with 2 kids?? Oh no no way. I am actually debating on taking the train. 3 days in a train is beginning to sound a lot better than 5 hrs in 2 small planes with 2 kids alone.<br /><br />* I am 4 months post op and still can't drink while eating. I have to wait 30 minutes before I can drink anything after eating. Some people don't have this problem but I do. 4 months and I still haven't gotten used to it. <br /><br /><br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653300723587491940.post-34480335295330660202012-04-03T19:33:00.003-07:002012-04-03T19:45:45.971-07:00The rental car gods hate me!!In my family, renting a car has become a huge joke. <br /><br />You see when I was younger my dream car was a red convertible mustang. I grew up had a family and never ended up getting a convertible mustang because now I have to think about safety, insurance prices, space, etc etc, the boring crap when you become an adult. <br /><br />For the last couple times the hubby had to rent a car to go on a tdy alone or my parents had to rent a car they always paid for the cheapest one but when they got there they ended up getting : <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IA0nKia4xc/T3u1pqhKxsI/AAAAAAAABTA/PEmQEbdGsaM/s1600/mustang.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 178px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1IA0nKia4xc/T3u1pqhKxsI/AAAAAAAABTA/PEmQEbdGsaM/s400/mustang.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727371078524389058" /></a><br /><br />you guessed it! A red convertible mustang. They made sure they took pictures and sent it to me and talked it up how fun it was to drive with them top down and how sweet a car it is and how good taste I have. The kind of stuff that made me green with envy. <br /><br />Every time I rent a car, no matter if I pay for the cheapest one or even the upgraded version I end up with either this matchbox car:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zHqk2FpqXkc/T3u1p841s3I/AAAAAAAABTI/UZVBXta7tIU/s1600/chevy%2Baveo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zHqk2FpqXkc/T3u1p841s3I/AAAAAAAABTI/UZVBXta7tIU/s400/chevy%2Baveo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727371083455509362" /></a><br /><br />or a ford focus. Its a car that gets me from point A to point B and who cares what it is, but dang it, I do. Why can't I get lucky and get a mustang?? or just something that is a convertible so I can feel the wind blowing my hair and the sun kissing my face even if its going to be short lived?? Nope, not with my luck. The last time I rented a car I specifically paid more and asked for a convertible. I was giddy with excitement. I was going to show who is the boss and I was going to get my convertible. I get there on cloud 9 and find out there was a glitch and they gave up the convertible to someone else and after me close to tears, I accept ed defeat and took a dodge charger :( <br /><br /><br />This time I didn't even care. I just paid for the cheapest one hoping my luck would change. Yeah right, I got a dang chevy aveo sitting in my driveway. A go kart. My husband and my parents already had a few good laughs about it. <br /><br />The good thing is...<br /><br />I sold my car and in a little over 2 weeks, El Paso will be just a memory and I will be on my way to Virginia. That brings a smile to my face, even if I have to do it in a matchbox car!<br /><br /><br />Are you lucky in the rental car process? Have you ever gotten a sweet ride?? <br /><br />Love AAllyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258705602175139920noreply@blogger.com2